Summer theatre will begin performances in July

The Black Hills State University summer theatre program will begin its third season this July.

To provide everyone a chance to see a summer performance, prices for admission have been reduced and BHSU is offering free admission for one show to individuals who have recently lost their job. “We are bringing quality entertainment to the community at affordable prices,” said Bert Juhrend, summer theatre director and assistant professor at BHSU.

The Black Hills State Players, which includes a cast of current BHSU students and alumni, will host performances each week from July 9 to Aug. 2. All productions will be held in the historic Woodburn Hall Theatre (now with elevator access) on the BHSU campus. The faculty/staff parking lot, located on Oliver Street on the west end of campus, is open for parking during performances.

This summer’s family friendly productions include: The Mousetrap, a murder mystery about a group of strangers stranded in a boarding house during a snow storm, one of whom is a murderer. The suspects include a newly married couple, a spinster with a curious background, an architect, a retired Army major, a strange little man who claims his car has overturned, a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone, and a policeman. The Mousetrap will show July 9 through July 12.

The famed musical, The Wizard of Oz, will show for two weeks July 16-19 and July 23-26. In addition to the summer theatre actors, the cast will also include 35 elementary students from around the area. Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, like so many girls her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy’s imagination.

The melodrama, Dirty Work at the Crossroads, is a tear jerking story (in laughable style) of an innocent country girl Nellie Lovelace. Munro, the viper, has a wife – Ida Rhinegold, belle of the New Haven Music Halls – but that does not prevent him from pursuing Nellie and tearing her from the arms of her dying mother (whom he poisoned). Dirty Work at the Crossroads will show July 30 – 31 and Aug. 1 – 2.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Prices are $12 for general admission, $10 for seniors, and $8 for students. Children will be admitted for $5 with their parents. Group rates and family packages are also available. For more information about rates or to learn more about the summer theatre program call 642-6171 or email BlackHillsStatePlayers@BHSU.edu.

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